Page 32 - BEYONDGLOBAL MAR 2024

100 Annual WAD Conference
th
The Drake Hotel, Chicago
September 2 – 7, 2025

Princess Margaret
fashionmagazine.com
The Drake has had its share of
international VIP guests: Winston
Churchill in 1929; Queen Elizabeth II
and Prince Philip, 1959; 1966; Princess
Grace, 1977; Prince Charles, 1977;
Princess Margaret, 1979; Princess
Diana, 1996. Even, according to hotel
history, it was once host to Prince
Felix Yusupov (a surname with many
spellings), the Russian aristocrat who in
1916 murdered Rasputin, the Siberian
monk thought by some to have been
Posted in Vintage on October 21, 2023 responsible for the Russian Revolution.
by CLASSIC CHICAGO
By Megan McKinney
From 1920 The Drake Hotel has dominated the elegant
corner where the magnificence of Michigan Avenue meets
what is possibly the city’s finest residential block. Developed
by Tracy C. Drake and his brother, John Drake, Jr. , The Drake
was a Benjamin Marshall and Charles Fox design. Although
much of what we all remember about this favorite Chicago
landmark through the years has remained unchanged, the
Cape Cod Room and the members-only Club International
have both vanished. The Palm Court has remained, especially
for afternoon tea

Princess Diana with The Drake
General Manager Martin
Lawrence in 1996, during her only More Royals: the seated Queen Marie
journey to America, which took of Romania, surrounded by family,
place a year before her death. at The Drake in November 1926.
forbes.com Chicago Tribune historical photo
Rasputin murderer
and hotel guest
Prince Felix Yusupov
thefamouspeople.com

In 1929, Winston Churchill was photographed in a hallway
at The Drake with his nephew, John Churchill; his son, And still more:
Randolph; and his brother, Major John Churchill. Queen Elizabeth II, Prince
Chicago Tribune historical photo Philip and “Sis” Daley during a
reception at The Drake in 1959.
Chicago Tribune historical photo

WAD Members will make history…..
WAD’s 1st Conference was at The Drake Hotel,
100 years ago and in 2025, we will celebrate
our Centennial back at The Drake Hotel
30 W.A.D Beyond Global